Christmas Clarity in a Confused World

I am writing this on Thursday, Dec. 20. If you are reading this on Friday, Dec. 21, then there's a good chance that the world has not yet spun out of control and come to an end, as some have been expecting. Those poor Chicken Littles, Mayans, and other confused souls who are disappointed that cataclysm did not arrive on schedule. What shall they do on Dec. 22?

I was surprised to hear how many people have actually bought into the Mayan Prophecy, as it has been called. A Reuters poll, conducted in May, 2012, found that 10% of respondents in 21 countries--and 12% of Americans--believed the Mayan calendar marked the end of the world. Truly, as P.T. Barnum once famously stated, "there's a sucker born every minute."

And make no mistake, the charlatans and "prophets" have been out in full force, taking advantage of the gullible to the tune of millions of dollars in "Mayan profits." Thousands of books and websites have been published, promising "the end of the world as we know it," and some companies have been hawking shelters and other means to survive the apocalypse.

As expected, some of the 2012 doomsday experts have already started hedging their bets and setting new dates, or explaining it all away. Here's how one writer put it:

"Regardless of what happens externally on this day, December 21, 2012, is a clear marker of the transition of World Ages. This synchronization is inviting all of humanity to open to imagining, envisioning and actualizing the possibilities of gradual, positive transformation of our human culture in harmony with the Earth."

That would be pretty funny, if it weren't so sad.

In actuality, there has already been a "clear marker of the transition of the World Ages," and that came almost 2,000 years ago when Jesus Christ was born in a manger in Bethlehem. The coming of Emmanuel--God with us-- split history down the middle, and it changed everything. He changed everything. It's hard to find more clarity than that.

As the angels proclaimed to the shepherds "a Savior was born to us, Christ the Lord." He was our Savior--because we are broken sinners, in desperate need of someone to save us. He was the Christ, the long-expected Messiah, reminding us that God always keeps His promises and His prophecies never fail. And He was Lord--God incarnate, come to dwell with us, and ultimately, to die for us. Even from the manger, there was a foreshadowing of the cross.

So, assuming you're still reading this and world destruction has not arrived during the past few minutes, let me remind you one more time: Joy to the world, the Lord is come!

From our family to yours, Merry Christmas! We love you and we can't wait to see what 2013 holds as we serve Him together. I look forward to seeing you on Sunday.

--Pastor Ken

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